Wash. Judi. Infor. Sys. Commi. R. JISCR 15

As amended through November 7, 2024

Rule JISCR 15 - DATA DISSEMINATION OF COMPUTER-BASED COURT INFORMATION

It is declared to be the policy of the courts to facilitate public access to court records, provided such disclosures in no way present an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy and will not be unduly burdensome to the ongoing business of the courts.

Due to the confidential nature of some court information, authority over the dissemination of such information shall be exercised by the judicial branch. This rule establishes the minimum criteria to be met by each information request before allowing dissemination.

(a)Application. This rule applies to all requests for computer-based court information submitted by an individual, as well as public and private associations and agencies. This rule does not apply to requests initiated by or with the consent of the Administrator for the Courts for the purpose of answering a request vital to the internal business of the courts.

(b)Excluded Information. Records sealed, exempted, or otherwise restricted by law or court rule may not be released to the general public except by court order.

(c)Data Dissemination Committee. [Rescinded.]

(d)Data Dissemination Policies and Procedures. The Administrator for the Courts shall promulgate policies and procedures for handling applications for computer-based information. These policies and procedures shall be subject to the approval of the Judicial Information System Committee.

(e)Information for Release of Data. Information which must be supplied by the requestor and upon which evaluation will be made includes:

(1) Identifying information concerning the applicant;

(2) Statement of the intended use and distribution;

(3) Type of information needed.

(f)Criteria To Determine Release of Data. The criteria against which the applications are evaluated are as follows:

(1) Availability of data;

(2) Specificity of the request;

(3) Potential for infringement of personal privacy created by release of the information requested;

(4) Potential disruption to the internal, ongoing business of the courts.

(g) Cost. The requestor shall bear the cost of honoring the request for information in accordance with section (d).

(h) Appeal. If a request is denied by the Administrator for the Courts, the requestor may appeal the decision to the Judicial Information System Committee in accordance with section (d). The Judicial Information System Committee shall review and act upon the appeal in accordance with procedures promulgated by the Committee for this purpose.

Wash. Judi. Infor. Sys. Commi. R. JISCR 15

Adopted effective 3/20/1981; amended effective 7/1/1987.